Tuesday, February 28, 2017

February Hot Reads and a Giveaway: To Quote Carrie, "Ahhh, the feels!"

Cheers, everyone, and welcome to a look at some of the books we felt were outstanding in the month of February! We've got some great picks this month, and, as always, there's a chance for you to win a couple of e-books, so be sure to check out the Rafflecopter widget below.

And now, here they are, February's Hot Reads!

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Carrie – We Met in Dreams by Rowan McAllister – “Ahhh, the FEELS! This book. Ugh. This book. It’s so good! This wasn’t just a book for me, it was an emotional experience. You just want to reach inside the pages and wrap these men up and hug them. You want to tell Arthur that with your enlightened 20th century sensibilities, you feel for him and that there is no reason for him to be treated like a pariah. You will weep for Arthur and then, consequently, Fox, and you will sympathize that this scenario could very well have happened in Regency London with their use of laudanum and overly superstitious ways.

McAllister sets us up right from the beginning, weaving a spell over us with the insidious fog outside the window and the mysterious thumps outside the door.”

Cassie – Countermind by Adrian Randall – “Compelling. I keep circling back to that word. Countermind made me think really hard about privacy, technology, morality, social responsibility, and a slew of other big ticket themes. Adrian Randall did a masterful job of keeping me guessing and on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t sure where the story was going until nearly the last page, and it’s been a while since I read something that I found so unpredictable. 4 Stars…5 stars? Heck, I’m not even sure how to rate it. 4.5 Stars! So all you lovers of spec fic, sci fi, and thrillers, this one is for you.”

Jennifer – The Chains of Their Sins by Anna Butler – “Since I started reviewing this series in 2015, with the release of Gyrfalcon, I have made my love for the books clear. At least I hope I have. Bennet and Flynn have become two of my favorite characters of all time, and with this book, Anna Butler has usurped all other authors as my favorite. Never before have I read a book with such detailed characters and relationships. As I’ve said before, these are more than just characters. They are so heartbreakingly real, as are their relationships.

This book follows the events of Makepeace and picks up where it left off. Bennet is once again on the Gyrfalcon, his father’s dreadnought, which is just about the last place in the universe he would rather be, and it’s not just because of his father. No. On the ship he will once again come face to face with Flynn, the man he fell in love with over four years ago, despite not being able to be with him. And just because years have passed since they last saw each other, it’s clear that neither the passion nor the memories have faded.”

Jules – Imago by N.R. Walker – “I loved, loved reading this book because of how it made me feel. As I said in the beginning of the review, it made me smile. It gave me that silly, swoony feeling you get when you read a really great romance. It also got my adrenaline going toward the end. You’ll have to read it to see what happens, but let me just say that the final twenty-five percent was very exciting.

The bottom line is, I want you guys to read this one. Pick it up. Stare at the cover. Dreamy sigh your way through the story. And, then lemme know who you love more, Jack or Lawson, because I just can’t decide. One thing I know for sure, though, is that this will, without question, be one of my go-to comfort reads.”

Maryann – Shards in the Sun by Trina Lain – “Trina Lane has created a really great novel with some of the most in-depth and diverse characters, and some contrasting family dynamics. There is an abundance of information on Tyler’s horse breeding and running a resort ranch, and Brandon takes us into his world of books and how he got started with cover art. I think the main theme of the story is also about change—in life, in love, and how it causes fear for some while others face it head on. Shards in the Sun is my first Trina Lane book, and I was hooked. And with the way this novel ended, I’m looking forward to the sequel.”

Sadonna – Tru Flame by Edie Danford – “I have to say I really just loved this story. This is the real and romantic and just completely perfect final chapter for this couple. It was wonderful to watch them gain their footing as parents and be able to see that they wouldn’t lose themselves, and that they could have help and not relinquish their responsibilities. I loved all of the secondary characters in this series as well, and Sandra redeemed herself beautifully in this story. I cheered for this couple and their new family, from page one, and was left with a huge dreamy smile by the last page. My only complaint is that the series is over. I hope maybe someday we can revisit this couple—maybe with getting Gunnar’s HEA, or Sandra’s?? Pretty please??”

Sammy – Edge of Glory by John Goode – “I have said this so many times, but I think it bears repeating: Author John Goode is an outstanding storyteller. His characters encapsulate that “every man” we meet on the street where we live, the one who no one realizes has had to hide in the shadows and fear being who he really is meant to be, the one who longs to lead a life that is so often denied him. Mr. Goode writes this man with humor, grace, a hefty dose of flaws and a streak of courage. He creates characters that touch something deep inside each of us and leave behind a lasting impression.

Edge of Glory is not just a worthy sequel [to Going the Distance] but is also an outstanding second chapter in a series that comes highly recommended to you.

Lisa – Married for a Month by Cate Ashwood – “While Ashwood could have milked the angst for everything it was worth in this storyline, I so appreciated that she kept the conflict in line with the risks Chase and Alec were taking with their friendship as the end of their month together drew closer…and their feelings for each other crossed the line. What started out as a joke ended up not being so simple. The guys set out to prove their friends wrong, to show them that marriage isn’t the be all and end all of a full life, and then ended up learning that to win this bet would mean going all in or risk losing each other for good. Ashwood does such a terrific job of stringing along the slow-burn without sacrificing the reader’s patience—the chemistry between these two is so tangible that you know once they give into it, it’s going to be off-the-charts sexy. And man, is it ever.

My recommendation? Read Married for a Month when you need a pick-me-up of the hearty eyes and shmoopy feels variety. It’s so much both of those things, and I adored it.

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In My Books

The main characters in all of my books are in the process of looking for and finding true love. The road is assuredly rocky but there is always a happily ever after as that is what they all deserve. It's what we all deserve.